5 years agoBoston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts experienced a power surge in 2019, setting careers highs with 33 home runs, 117 RBIs, and a .555 slugging percentage. His final line of .309-33-117-110-4 helped him finish as a top-five shortstop in most league types. However, a lot of his power growth is likely unsustainable based on his expected stats. His batting average, slugging percentage, and wOBA were all higher than his expected rate, and despite his actual stats putting him in the top 6% in many counting categories, only his wOBA was in the top 6% of the league. There is some validity in Bogaerts' 2019 season. He's 27 years old, entering the prime of his career, and he increased his launch angle to a career-high 13.1 degrees, his hard-hit percentage to a career-high 43.7%, and his walk percentage to a career-high 10.9%, all while keeping his strikeout rate consistent. Yet, while 2019 wasn't a fluke, it's unlikely we're going to see 30+ home runs from Bogaerts again which means you're looking at a shortstop who will no longer steal double-digit bases but could finish with a line around .290-25-90-90-6. That's a quality player, but not necessarily somebody worth drafting 36th overall, which is where he's currently being taken. He's more likely to end the season in the bottom part of the top 10 shortstops and is worthy of a pick just inside the top 50 players overall.--Eric Samulski